Typographical distributing machine



Sept. 19, 1933. DODGE 1,927,231

TYPOGRAPHICAL nxswnxnumme monnm Filed Dec. 16. 19:31 4 Sheets-Shoot 1 a [NVbNTOR 5am. 19, 1933. DODGE 1,927,231

TYPOGRAPHICAL 'L'ISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Q) MW/WM 70 M55 VS Sept. 19, 1933. N. DODGE 1,927,231

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING- MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 e I r 6 6 I I l a i \I a 4 H l H I! 1! II 1 H INVENTOR Sept. 19, 1933. N. DODGE 1,927,231

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 19, 1933 PATNT FFECE I TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Norman Dodge, Garden City, N. Y., assignor to 'llrliergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation of New York Application December 16, 1931 Serial No. 581,340

22 Claims. ((1199-39) This invention is directed to certain improvementsin the distributing mechanism of a typographical machine such as that disclosed in the pending. application to'D. S. Kennedy, Serial No.

578,632, filed December 3, 1931, and wherein the matrices handled include not only regular matrices of standard length but also special matrices of a much greater length. In this machine, the matrices, preparatory to distribution, are ,de-

tached from the composed line and fed successively to the distributor'by a reciprocating finger which cooperates with the lower edges of the matrices and is capable of vertical adjustment to compensate for their diiierenoe in the length. Matrices released by the distributor are conducted to their respective magazines by one or the other of two magazine entrances which are rotatably mounted so that either may be brought into operative position as desired. The partitions of one of these entrances are ofthe usual length or height to cooperate with the regular matrices, and the partitions of the other entrance are shorter or lower to cooperate with the longer special matrices.

"The present invention aims to simplify the above. arrangement and contemplates primarily the useofa single magazine entrance which will take care .of both the regular and specialmatrices irrespectiveof their difierence in length. To this end, the partitions of. the improved-entrance are made extensible so that they .may be increased or decreased in length or height according to the length ofthe particular matrices in use. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the partitions consist of fixed lower sections and movable upper sections carried by an adjustable holder which may be raised and lowered as'desired to locate said upper sections at the proper distance from the distributor bar.

The invention also provides a matrix feeding device which will be capable of handling the long and short matrices without adjustment or manual attention.

45 'The exact construction, arrangement, and operation of the parts will best be understood from the detailed description to follow.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example, and as applied to a particular kind of machine, but obviously many changes and-variations may be madetherein and in its mode of application which will still be comprised within its spirit. It shouldtherefore be understood that'the invention is"not' limited to any specific form or embodiment except in so'far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring tothe drawings: 4

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a linotype machine showing the partitions of the improved magazine entrance extended to cooperate with the short regular matrices;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the partitions collapsed or unextended to cooperate with the longer'special matrices;

Fig. 3 is an enlargedtop plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, the distributor being omitted;

"Fig. a is a vertical section taken through the improved magazine entrance and showing details of construction thereof;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

"Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the distributor boX' and parts associated therewith;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 88 of Fig.7; and I Fig. 9 Ba vertical section taken on the line 99'0f Fig. '7.

As shown in Fig. '1, the machine is equipped with three superposed magazines A A A mounted for vertical movement in the machine frame so that any selected one may be brought into the .operative position as desired. Thetwo' lower magazines A A are adapted to contain sets of regular matrices X, which are formed as usual with the upper and lower projecting cars :0 m whereas, the upper magazine A is adapted i to contain a set of special matrices Ygwhich, though longer than the regular matrices, are otherwise similar thereto, being of the same width and formed with like upper and lower projecting ears g g When a line of the matrices X or Y during its circulation through the machine is lifted by the so-called second elevator (not shown) to the distributing level,v it is immediately transferred therefrom through a distributor box B (see Fig. 7) and up against stop shoulders B B B which are disposed in pairs and iormedon extensions 18 of the box rails B The box B is arranged, as usual, at the receiving end of the distributor proper which, as shown in Figs. 1 and .2, com prises the single distributor bar D and the associated set of three (two upper and one lower) distributor screws D The uppermost pair of stop shoulders 13 cooperate with the upper projecting ears of both the regular matrices X and the special matrices engage more than one matrix at a time. In the.

Y, whereas the two lower pairs of stop shoulders B B cooperate respectively with the lower projecting ears of said matrices. The several pairs of stop shoulders are vertically aligned with one another and are arranged to arrest the leading matrix of the line in operative relation to a reciprocating finger C, which latter is adapted to lift the matrices, one after another, above the stop shoulders and into the range of action of the distributor screws. As the matrices enter the distributor, they are advanced by the screws across the rail extension B into engagement with the bar D and thence along the same until released above their respective magazine channels.

The lower distributor screw D as in the Kennedy application above referred to, is considerably larger in diameterthan its companions and is spaced a predetermined distance below them so as to cooperate with the lower projecting ears of both the regular matrices X and the special matrices Y (compare Figs. 1 and 2).

According to the present invention, the finger C is arranged to lift the matrices X and Y by their upper projecting ears, instead of by their bottom edges, the upper ears of both the regular and special matrices, as before stated, being adapted to occupy the same position against the stop shoulders B preparatory to their delivery to the distributor. As best shown in Figs. 7 and 9, the finger C is slidably mounted for vertical movement in a bracket plate B which latter is secured to the rear wall of the distributor box B and is formed with a tongue b which engages in a corresponding slot 0 formed in the finger C. The body portion of the finger C (see Fig. 9) is aligned with the rear wall of the box B and is provided with a vertical rib or lip 0 arranged directly in front of the contiguous stop shoulder B so as to engage the upper ears m or 11 on the rear edges of the matrices X and Y. The thick ness of the lip c is made less than that of the thinnest matrix to be distributed so as not to lower position of the finger C, the top edge of the lip c is caused to occupy a position immediately below the rails B in order to permit the upper ears of the leading matrix of the line to engage against the stop shoulders B and in the upper position of the finger, the top edge of the lip c is caused to occupy a position slightly above said stop shoulders (see Fig. '7) in order that the lifted matrix may be pushed off the lip under the pressure applied at the opposite end of the line and obtain support upon the corresponding rail extensions 3.

Operation of the finger C is effected by a constantly rotated edge cam D through the medium of a vertical reciprocating plunger C to which the finger is fastened. The plunger 0 (see Figs. '7 and 8) is mounted in a suitable bearing 13 and provided at its upper end with an anti-friction roller C which is held resiliently engaged with the cam D by a pull spring C the latter being arranged alongside the bearing B and attached to the lower end of the plunger C The cam D is mounted on one of the distributor screw spindles D (Fig. '7) and is adapted, during each rotation of the distributor screws D first to depress the plunger against the tension of the spring C and then to allow it to rise under the influence of said spring. While the purchase of sustain them edgewise in perfect upright position as they are lifted above the stop shoulders B B and B Any danger of the matrices tilting or slipping off the lip c is thus obviated and the finger is allowed to function in the manner required.

As the matrices X or Y are released from the distributor bar D, they are conducted to their appropriate magazine by a single magazine entrance E, the latter (see Fig. 4) comprising a front plate E a curved back plate E and a series of intermediate partitions E which divide the entrance into a corresponding series of matrix channels aligned with the magazine channels. The entrance E is mounted on a horizontal supporting frame F and locked thereto in the usual way by means of a clamping bar F arranged to cooperate with ears 6 formed on the partitions E The frame F (see Figs. 1 and 2) is provided with upright side members F F which are hingedly mounted at their lower ends on a horizontal axis 0 in fixed side brackets O of the main frame, so that the entrance E may be swung back and forth when access to the magazines is desired. A pull spring F connected to the side member F facilitates these operations and serves to hold the entrance against stop screws 0 in its normal or upright position (see Fig. 1). The stop screws 0 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are mounted in subsidiary brackets O secured to the main brackets O, and are arranged to engage the side members F F of the frame F.

In adapting the magazine entrance E to the matrices X and Y, the partitions E thereof, under the present invention and as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, are made up respectively of fixed lower sections E and movable upper sections E the latter being adjustable vertically to increase or decrease the height or length of the partitions according to the particular matrices in use. That is to say, when changing from the special matrices Y to the regular matrices X, or vice Versa, the upper sections E of the partitions E are moved upwardly or downwardly to extend or collapse the partitions a distance corresponding to the difference in length of said matrices, it being understood that the clearance permitted in practice between the upper edges of the partitions and the lower ends of matrices suspended from the distributor bar, is limited to a few thousandths of an inch in order to insure their passage uninterruptedly into the entrance channels as they are released from the bar. 1

The fixed lower sections E in the preferred embodiment illustrated, are much longer or higher than the upper sections E and have their upper ends'permanently located the proper distance below the distributor bar D to cooperate with the special matrices Y. The upper sections E are therefore devoted to the regular matrices X and when raised into action constitute, in effect, upper extensions of the lower sections E.

To permit the adjustments of the upper sec-,

tions E (see Fig. 4), they are mounted by means of projecting ears e e in vertical slots e formed in the front and rear plates E E of the entrance E. The ears e project through the front plate E and are connected thereto by an anchor rod e whereas, the ears e project through the back plate E and are hooked over horizontal ribs g of an auxiliary frame or holder G, which extends alongside the rear face of the entrance E and is slidably mounted for vertical movement in the rocking frame F.

out distributing the position of the holder G, the crank arm J at such time being adapted to- The holder G (see Fig. 3) is provided at its opposite ends with wear shoes G and between its ends with a bar G for locking the movable sections E of the partitions E to the ribs 9. Like the bar F the bar G is hingedly mounted (Figs. 3 and 4) on pins 9' and held firmly engaged with the ears 6 by clamping screws 9 The shoes G of the holder G fit into corresponding vertical guideways F which are formed in the upright side members of the rocking frame F and allow the holder to be raised and low ered to carry the upper sections E of the partitions into their active or inactive position. A pair of stop pins 9 (Fig. 6) mounted transversely in the side members F F of the; frame F and arranged directly below the Wear shoes G limit the downward movement of the holder Gand serve to locate the upper sections E in their inactive position with their upper edges flush or slightly below the upper edges of the lower fixed sections E (see dotted lines, Fig. 4). A second pair of pins 9 similarly mounted in the side members F F and arranged above the wear shoes; merely prevent the accidental disengagement of the holder from the guideways F being located at such distance above the shoes G that the latter will stop short of them when the holder G is raised to locate the upper sections E in their active position.

Operation of the holder G is effected by a fore-and-aft hand lever H arranged conveniently at the front of the machine and pivotally mounted on the axis 0 of the rocking frame, F. The lever H (see-Fig. 1) is connected to. the holder G through the medium or" a rockshaft J which is journalled at its opposite ends in the upright side members F F and provided with a crank arm J extending forwardly from one end of the shaft so as to cooperate with a sec tor plate H secured to the rear arm of the hand lever H. The sector plate H is located directly beneath the crank arm J and formed with, a concentric track portion H the purpose of which will presently appear.

J arranged between the side members of the frameF and loosely connected to corresponding screws studs 9 which are mounted in holder G at the opposite endsthereof (see Fig. 3),.

The parts are so arranged that, when the hand lever H is swung downwardly, the sector plate H will cam the crank arm J upwardly-and through the rock shaft. J and the parallel arms J raise the holder G in the guideways F "As.

. This. operation extends the partitions'E of the magazine entrance, i. e., the movable sections E are raised to locate their upper edges at the Y proper distance below the distributor D to cooperate with the regular matrices K (see Fig- 1). Should access to the magazine at this time be desired, the. supporting frame F may be swung freely back and forth to and from the position indicatedin dotted lines (Fig. 1-) withride upon the concentric track portion H of the sector plate H When new the-hand lever His swung-upwardly,

The rock shaft. J is also provided with a pair of parallel-arms the, track portion H is first moved from beneath the crank arm J and the holder G is then allowed to slide downwardly in the guideways F under the control of the sector plate H The partitions E are thus collapsed or restored to their unextended condition, i. e., as shoes G of the holder engage the stop pins 91 the movable sections E of the partitions will be lowered to leave the upper edges of the lower fixed sections E to cooperate with the special matrices Y (see Fig. 2) Under the latter adjustment of the parts, the position of the-holder will likewise remain unchanged when the entrance E is rocked backwardly for access to the magazines, since the weight of the holder is far greater than the resistance presented thereto by the lever H. In other words, the hand lever H in the lower position of the'holder G is adapted to yield and will be rocked idly about its pivotal axis by the crank arm J as the frame F is swung to and fro.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one length, or a set of matrices of greater length the combination of a distributor adapted to handle both sets of matrices, and a single magazine entrance adjustable to cooperate with either set of matrices for conducting them from the distributor to their respective magazines.

2. A combination as specified in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the distributor therein recited consists of a single distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws.

3. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of regular matrices of standard length, or a set of special matrices of greater than standard length, the combination of a distributor adapted to handle both sets of .matrices and comprising a single distributor bar and a set of two upper and one lower distributor screws, and a single magazine entrance adjustable to cooperate with either the regular or the special matrices for conducting them from the distributor to their respective magazines, the lower distributor screw being larger in diameter than its companions and spaced a predetermined distance below the distributor bar'so as to cooperate with both the regular and special matrices.

4. In or for a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one length, or a set of matrices of greater length, a magazine entrance comprising a front plate, a back plate and a series of intermediate partitions which divide the entrance into a corresponding series of channels, said parti-. tions being capable of extension to compensate for the difference in length of the two sets of matrices.v

5. In or for a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one length, or a set of matrices of greater length, the combination of a magazine entrance comprising a front plate, a back plate, and a series of intervening extensible partitions, and means for extending or collapsing the partitions to increase or decrease their length according to the particular set of matrices in use.

6. In or for a typographical distributing ma chine, a magazine entrance comprising a front plate, aback plate, and a set of intervening extensible'partitions, the said partitions being made up of fixed lower sections and upper sections adjustable relatively thereto.

1 the con 7. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one length, or a set of matrices of greater length, the combination of a magazine entrance comprising a front plate, a back plate, and a series of intervening vertical partitions made up of fixed lower sections and movable upper sections, a holder to which the upper sections are attached, and means for adjusting said holder upwardly and downwardly to adapt the entrance to cooperate with either set of matrices.

8. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one len th, or a set of matrices of greater length, ibination of a magazine entrance comprising a front plate, a ba .1 plate, and a series of intervening vertical partitions made up of fixed lower sections and upper sections movable relatively thereto, a frame upon which the magazine entrance is supported, a holder for the upper sections adiustably mounted in said frame, and means for adjusting the holder upwardly or downwardly to the entrance to cooperate with either set of matrices, as desired. j 9. A combination as specified in claim 8, haracterized by the fact that the said adjusting means is controlled by a hand lever arranged conveniently at the front of the machine.

10. In a typographical distributing machine BOjjadapted to be equipped with two magazines, one

containing a set of matrices of one length and the other containing a set of matrices of greater length, the combination of a distributor, single magazine entrance having a series of partitions fjmade up of fixed lower sections and adjustable upper sections to cooperate with either set of matrices, a supporting frame for the magazine entrance pivoted to the main frame so that it may be swung back and forth for access to the jfmagazines, and means for maintaining the upper sections of the partitions in their adjusted positions during the pivotal movement of said supporting frame.

11. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one length, or a set of matrices of greater length, the combination of a magazine entrance comprising a front plate, a back plate, and a series of intervening vertical partitions made up of fixed lower sections and upper sections movable relatively thereto, a holder for the upper sections adjustably mounted in said frame, a rock shaft connected to the holder, and means/for rotating the rock shaft to move the holder and the upper sections of the par itions upwardly or downwardly to different positions of adjustment according to the particular set of matrices in use.

12. A combination as specified in claim characterized by the fact that the taining them by their upper projecting ears in. operative relation to the distributor, and means also common to both sets of matrices and arranged to cooperate with the upper projecting cars of said matrices for feeding them, one after another, to the distributor.

said rotating consists of a hand lever, and including 14. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one length formed with upper and lower projecting ears, or a set of matrices similar in form but of greater length, the combination of distributing mechanism for handling matrices of either set and including a distributor bar and a set of two upper and one lower distributor screws, a

distributor box through which the matrix lines 15. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of regular matrices of standard. length, or a set of special matrices of greater than standard length, the combination of distributing mechanism for handling matrices of either set including a single distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, and a reciprocating member for the matrices of either set successively to the distributor screws, said member being arranged to operate in a fixed zone located in definite relation to a point on the matrices common to those of both sets, for the purpose described.

16. A combination as specified in claim 14, characterized by the fact that the lower distributor screw is of greater diameter than its companions and is spaced below the distributor bar at a distance corresponding to the difference in length between the regular and special matrices.

1'7. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with a set of matrices of one length formed with upper and lower projecting ears, or a set of matrices similar in form but of greater length, the combination of dis-' tributing mechanism for handling the matrices of either set and including a distributor, a distributor box through which the matrices of either set are advanced toward the bar, and means for feeding the matrices one after another to the distributor bar, said means comprising a vertical reciprocating plunger and a finger attached thereto and arranged to engage the upper projecting ears of said martices.

18. A combination as specified in claim 17,'ineluding a spring connected to the plunger, and a constantly rotated edge cam for actuating the plunger against the tension of said spring.

19. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with matrices formed with upper and lower projecting ears, the combination of distributing mechanism including a distributor bar, a distributor box through which the matrices are advanced toward the bar, a finger associated with the box and arranged to lift rices of standard length and the other containing a set of special matrices of greater than standard length, the combination of a distributor, V

a single magazine entrance adjustable to cooper ate with the matrices of either set for conducting them to their respective magazines, a distributor box located at the receiving end of the distributor, and a reciprocating finger associated with the box and arranged to cooperate with the upper projecting ears of the matrices for feeding them, one after another, to the distributor.

21. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with two interchangeable magazines, one containing a set of regular matrices of standard length and the other containing a set of special matrices of greater than standard length, the combination of a distributor comprising a single distributor bar and a set of two upper and one lower distributor screws, a distributor box located at the receiving end of the distributor, and a reciprocating finger associated with the box for lifting the regular or the special matrices, one after another, into the range of action of the distributor screws, the said finger being arranged to cooperate with the upper projecting ears of the matrices, and the lower screw of the distributor being larger in diameter than its companions so as to cooperate with both the regular and the special matrices.

22. In a typographical distributing machine adapted to be equipped with two interchangeable magazines, one containing a set of regular matrices of standard length and the other containing a set of special matrices of greater than standard length, the combination of a distributor comprising a single distributor bar and a set of two upper and one lower distributor screws, a single magazine entrance comprising a front plate, a back plate, and a series of intervening partitions,

a distributor box located at the receiving end of panions so as to cooperate with both the regular and special matrices, and the partitions of the said entrance being capable of adjustment as to length to compensate for the distance in length of said matrices. I NORMAN DODGE. 

